Projects

Our research is supporting the Sturgeon Bank Sediment Enhancement Pilot Project (SBSEPP), which involves testing and demonstrating how dredged sediment from the Fraser River estuary can be beneficially used to restore tidal marshes and simultaneously provide coastal flood protection to low-lying communities in the Metro Vancouver region in British Columbia. Our group is observing and numerically modelling sediment transport at Sturgeon Bank to inform decision-making for the project and potential future, scaled-up nature-based solutions in the Fraser Estuary.

Communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems in Canada’s Arctic regions are exposed to increasing risk from coastal hazards and climate change effects. Large quantities of coastal driftwood mobilized by storms have potential to impact community infrastructure, and clog navigation waterways. Our group is conducting research with partners to predict storm-driven transport and accumulation of coastal driftwood at Tuktoyaktuk, and exploring nature-based solutions to manage risks to people, infrastructure, and waterways.

The Living Dyke Pilot Project in Boundary Bay involves experimenting with ways to promote expansion of foreshore marshes in front of existing dykes to support sea-level rise adaptation objectives.